UCLA organizations spotlight 4 books featuring Black protagonists

UCLA student organizations hosted a reading event Friday to promote youth literacy and increased representation during Black History Month.

Organized by the Luskin Black Caucus and the UCLA School on Wheels, the event featured readings from four books showcasing the power, strength, and intelligence of various Black protagonists.

Through an annual book distribution drive and Friday’s reading event, the caucus and the School on Wheels hope to encourage reading in K-12 children, honor the contributions of Black people and communities traditionally underrepresented at UCLA, and build a community coalition to serve marginalized and disenfranchised communities of color, said Elliot Woods, an alumnus and caucus co-chair, in an emailed statement.

Event organizers read excerpts from “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea” by Meena Harris, “Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use” by Amanda Seales, “Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly, and “I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes.

“I am brave. I am hope. I am my ancestor’s wildest dream. I am worthy of success, of respect, of safety, of kindness, of happiness. And without a shadow of a doubt, I am worthy to be loved. I am worthy to be loved,” read Tyler Webb, a public affairs graduate student, from “I Am Every Good Thing.”

The reading event represents a broader caucus effort to promote child literacy during Black History Month. To honor Black History Month, the caucus coordinates an annual book drive and book distribution event in Los Angeles, Woods said.

By encouraging reading comprehension and literacy, as well as increasing representation of underrepresented characters and authors, the caucus hopes to foster proactive steps to reduce disproportionate dropout rates in marginalized communities, Woods said.

Research shows that third graders below the grade’s reading level are more likely to later drop out of school, he added.

“Reading literacy is something that’s super important. I grew up not having a very good foundation in reading, and later in my life, I discovered how important it was,” Woods said at the event.

The Diversity, Disparities and Difference Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, a project aimed at bridging differences in identity, embracing diversity and addressing disparities in public affairs, funded the drive, Woods said.

The organizers purchased books from Eso Won Bookstore, a Black-owned bookstore in the Leimert Park neighborhood of South LA, and then distributed them through School on Wheels at UCLA.

Organizers delivered around 25 packages that included a copy of “Hidden Figures” and “I Am Everything Good,” a stress ball, bookmarks, a reading literacy guide for parents, and quotes from Black leaders, Woods said.

After Luskin affiliates read excerpts from the four books, Savannah Elahian, a public policy graduate student, highlighted the importance of community collaboration.

“Supporting the youth is really what this is all about, and I really want to keep this going within UCLA, within the Black Caucus, and also within our community as well,” Elahain said.